The synoptic events leading to eventual severe weather, abruptly initiated approximately at 0230Z , west of Odessa and trending north-south along the rejuvenated dryline was an interesting scenario to witness. During the afternoon, between 1900-2200Z, high base (roots around the 850M
B layer) convection produced storm towers proximal to a slowly northward advancing surface warm front due to an increasing LLJ advecting moist Gulf air from the southeast overriding cooler entrenched continental polar air. Locally within the Central and Eastern Permian Basin, this convection was concentrated in Reagan, Glasscock, and Sterling counties and movement was to the northeast. During this time frame, dry surface air had already passed east of Midland from the advancing dry-line (2M dew points had fallen from the high 50's to around 30 degrees). The first image is of a convecting storm tower (updraft dominated and first indication of lowering of convective condensation level) captured along SH 158, three miles east of intersection SH 137, in Glasscock county at 2105Z, looking southwest. The second image is of the sheared, northeast trending, canopy storm tower of previously captured developing cell with small underlying Mammatus clouds as viewed from observer's vantage point directly overhead, demonstrating strong upper level winds.
The third image is a zoomed capture of updraft intake region.
My thoughts at the time was that further develop-ment and intensifi-cation was probable along said warm front boundary and to the north but east of advancing dry-line which had already traversed Midland. I had to return to Midland and could not await further initiation at current locale or proceed further east, being somewhat disappointed in not witnessing a Supercell. Driving back to Midland I was expecting to encounter crisp dry blue skies but instead noted hazy conditions indicating a return of moisture. I drove to a multi-storied parking garage and captured the next image looking east at continued cumulus accretion and developing cumulonimbus.
The wind had changed direction from previous southwest to now northerly, the dry-line was retreating and convection was firing near this Triple Point (advancing cold air from north, and well tuned slightly retreating north-south trending demarcation between moist warm air, east and dry air,west). An amplified Upper Level Trough with wind maxima, cold air aloft, and height falls was continuing to advance from west to east and intensifying surface cyclogensis, currently responsible for halting the warm front's advance and advecting cooler air south, was shortly progged to reestablish a returned progressive eastward surge of the well defined dry-moist boundary. The timing of the dry-line eastern surge coupled with the Upper Level support and the locale of the Triple Point, separating unstable from stable air mass surface boundary(s), was not immediately known but became readily apparent at approximately 0230Z west of Odessa. The final image is from MAF WSR-88D radar taken at 0304Z as the advancing squall line composed of intense multicelled storm towers, firing along a bulging dryline and centered over Midland.
Note from radar capture the strongly northeast sheared echos ahead of the advancing squall line ( mini Derecho, bowing, with associated strong straight line winds). At the author's residence, near downtown Midland, marble size hail was encountered. Rainfall rates were estimated at around 2"/hour during the brief intense deluge which lasted approximately 20 minutes. Intense cloud to cloud and cloud to ground lightning was noted and wind gust were estimated at approximately 35-45mph. The squall line was advancing at a rate of approximately 45mph. Channel 9 meteorologist, Tom Tefertiller, indicated from VIPIR software that tennis-ball size hail was probable at certain locales along the multi-celled complex based on VIL profiles.
B layer) convection produced storm towers proximal to a slowly northward advancing surface warm front due to an increasing LLJ advecting moist Gulf air from the southeast overriding cooler entrenched continental polar air. Locally within the Central and Eastern Permian Basin, this convection was concentrated in Reagan, Glasscock, and Sterling counties and movement was to the northeast. During this time frame, dry surface air had already passed east of Midland from the advancing dry-line (2M dew points had fallen from the high 50's to around 30 degrees). The first image is of a convecting storm tower (updraft dominated and first indication of lowering of convective condensation level) captured along SH 158, three miles east of intersection SH 137, in Glasscock county at 2105Z, looking southwest. The second image is of the sheared, northeast trending, canopy storm tower of previously captured developing cell with small underlying Mammatus clouds as viewed from observer's vantage point directly overhead, demonstrating strong upper level winds.
The third image is a zoomed capture of updraft intake region.
My thoughts at the time was that further develop-ment and intensifi-cation was probable along said warm front boundary and to the north but east of advancing dry-line which had already traversed Midland. I had to return to Midland and could not await further initiation at current locale or proceed further east, being somewhat disappointed in not witnessing a Supercell. Driving back to Midland I was expecting to encounter crisp dry blue skies but instead noted hazy conditions indicating a return of moisture. I drove to a multi-storied parking garage and captured the next image looking east at continued cumulus accretion and developing cumulonimbus.
The wind had changed direction from previous southwest to now northerly, the dry-line was retreating and convection was firing near this Triple Point (advancing cold air from north, and well tuned slightly retreating north-south trending demarcation between moist warm air, east and dry air,west). An amplified Upper Level Trough with wind maxima, cold air aloft, and height falls was continuing to advance from west to east and intensifying surface cyclogensis, currently responsible for halting the warm front's advance and advecting cooler air south, was shortly progged to reestablish a returned progressive eastward surge of the well defined dry-moist boundary. The timing of the dry-line eastern surge coupled with the Upper Level support and the locale of the Triple Point, separating unstable from stable air mass surface boundary(s), was not immediately known but became readily apparent at approximately 0230Z west of Odessa. The final image is from MAF WSR-88D radar taken at 0304Z as the advancing squall line composed of intense multicelled storm towers, firing along a bulging dryline and centered over Midland.
Note from radar capture the strongly northeast sheared echos ahead of the advancing squall line ( mini Derecho, bowing, with associated strong straight line winds). At the author's residence, near downtown Midland, marble size hail was encountered. Rainfall rates were estimated at around 2"/hour during the brief intense deluge which lasted approximately 20 minutes. Intense cloud to cloud and cloud to ground lightning was noted and wind gust were estimated at approximately 35-45mph. The squall line was advancing at a rate of approximately 45mph. Channel 9 meteorologist, Tom Tefertiller, indicated from VIPIR software that tennis-ball size hail was probable at certain locales along the multi-celled complex based on VIL profiles.
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